West Deptford's Mark Dixon named South Jersey Times Boys Track Coach of the Year

When the spring season started a few months ago, members of the West Deptford High School track team told head coach Mark Dixon they were going to win him a coach of the year award.

Dixon, who’s led the Eagles’ program for more than two decades, scoffed at the idea.

After guiding West Deptford to its first NJSIAA State Group II title in school history, the Eagles have accomplished their goal and for his efforts, Dixon has been named South Jersey Times Boys Track Coach of the Year.

“They said they wanted to win me coach of the year, I just told them if that’s what they really want do, the team goals are what you need to achieve,” Dixon said. “The guys gave it their all, and when you have individuals who are willing to do anything for the team, that attitude combined with the talent puts you over the top.”

“We’ve talked about it since the first day of spring season,” said senior Nick Pulli. “Those were our first words, we wanted to win him coach of the year. The man is a master of any technique, but he’s also got a relentless will to win. He knows every event and makes sure all the athletes are doing the right thing to win. He’s like a solider leading his troops.”

The 2014 track season officially cemented a comeback for Dixon, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma two years ago. Despite the toll cancer took on him, Dixon made a strong return and relied on the crop of experienced athletes to guide his team to success.

“The championship is special in itself,” Dixon said. “I appreciate it more because of my battles. When someone tells you may only have a year to live, you appreciate everything more, especially their hard work.

“If I was a motivating factor for them, I’m happy for that. It’s great for them to want to give something back. They saw me through a tough time, and when I was going through treatments, they helped lift my spirits. I wanted to thank them for being motivation in my life. Winning the award for me was a way of thanking me for motivating them.”

Dixon leaned on seniors like Pulli and Kevin Cianfarini to earn the team championship, as each won two individual state titles in the process of earning 40 of West Deptford’s leading 48 points.

“Both have been the leaders and the driving force, they’ve are incredible guys,” Dixon said. “They not only succeed individually, but help the others around them get better.”

Pulli, who thrived under Dixon during his standout career to the tune of multiple indoor and outdoor state titles, said that winning his coach a championship meant more than any individual accolade.

“The smile on that man’s face made my year,” Pulli said. “The first thing I did was pick him up and give him a big bear hug, and we were so thrilled as a unit. All awards are great, but to be able to share it with the guys and amazing man like that and to know that he’s worked over 20 years to get this, it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.”

Dixon was equally appreciative of athletes like Pulli, and cited their drive to win and work ethic among the aspects that helped the team grow.

“It’s a combination of talent, but you have to have that inner drive,” Dixon said. “These guys will do anything for the team, and anything for each other. For us to compete and beat bigger schools, we needed guys from all over the place to step up and we consistently got that.”

If the championship isn’t sweet enough, the title ends Dixon’s run of over two decades without the elusive championship.

“The kids are here for four years, for me its been 20 some years,” he said. “We’ve gotten close and won some smaller titles. But to have a whole team do it is amazing. Watching the last few races, I was thinking to myself, ‘We finally got a team to do it.’ It’s a big relief.”